Greg Davis, manager of the Mammoth Cave Hotel, was recognized as the 2010 Garner B. Hanson Hotelier of the Year by the Kentucky Hotel & Lodging Association (KHLA), at the recent Kentucky tourism conference in Covington, Ky.

“Greg is a great partner to the park,” said Patrick Reed, superintendent of Mammoth Cave National Park, where the Hotel is located.  “He and his staff carry on the Hotel’s long tradition of outstanding customer service to the traveling public.  It is a great pleasure to work with him.”

“This was quite a surprise to me,” said Davis, who also serves as president of the Kentucky Hotel & Lodging Association.  “I am truly honored to receive this award, and the fact that it carries Mr. Hanson’s name makes it even more special to me.”

Nominees must be a leader in their community, active in local organizations, and they must have made a contribution as a leader in the hospitality industry.

“Greg easily exceeds all the criteria for this award,” said Ray Gillespie, executive director of KHLA.  “He has worked in tourism at the state and local level for many years, and is still a hands-on manager. Greg is a model for anyone building a career in the hospitality industry.  I know Mr.

Hanson would be proud of him.”

The following is excerpted from Davis’ award:

“He has been a tourism and industry partner for 37 years.  His lifelong dedication to our tourism industry mirrors that of Garner Hanson and reflects positively on his enduring work ethic…He actually began his career in the lodging industry under the guidance and stewardship of the late Garner Hanson.  He began his work in lodging in l968.  He worked his way through college and returned to Mammoth Cave Hotel in l993 as Assistant Manager and has served as General Manager since 2001 at the Mammoth Cave Hotel.

“He has held positions as General Manager of the Oasis Motor Inn and Restaurant, Executive Director of the Cave City Tourist and Convention Commission, General Manager of Renfro Valley, Executive Director of the Bardstown Nelson County Tourist and Convention Commission.

“He is Chairman of the Caveland Marketing Association, President of the Cave City Chamber of Commerce, Board Member of the Cave City Tourist and Convention Commission, Past Chairman of the Edmonson County Tourist and Convention Commission and still serves on the Board of Directors.  He is Past Master of the Park City Masonic Lodge.  He is also a member of the Cave City Baptist Church.

“He has served as Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism Federation, on the Board of the Kentucky Tourism Federation and was honored as the l986 Citizen of the Year by the Cave City Chamber of Commerce.

“He is also on the Board of Directors and President of the Kentucky Hotel & Lodging Association.

“He has done all these tasks while maintaining the helm of the Mammoth Cave Hotel…”